Notes to Your Sole Mates 2023
by Evy Barnett
Every year February breezes in with red and pink paper hearts, boxes filled with chocolates, and pink stuffed animals cradling a heart between their paws - something warm to keep the chill out of this typically frigid month. This is what love is, consumerism says, but its falsehoods hang in the air as love extends much further than this Hallmark curated holiday. It is not reserved for couples or romantic love as Hollywood would lead one to believe, but stretches out to friends, chosen family, coworkers, and the stranger on the street who offers you a smile or a warm greeting. It fills your soul with a warmness and comfort that we fail to describe. When you feel supported, seen, encouraged, and safe, love arrives naturally. Sometimes, you may look around at your friends dancing joyfully under disco lights, cheering each other on during a training run, walking with you when you can’t run, or listening thoughtfully when you’re struggling and be struck be just how much you love and appreciate your friends.
In PPTC, I’ve found this platonic, familial love is ample. We witness each other soon after we’ve rolled out of bed, the sleep still in our eyes, and run together until the sweat streaks down our faces. As we train with each other we experience pain and struggle as we strive to reach our goals - we are vulnerable. As we push ourselves to hit the targeted time, to finish the interval, the run, we find there is little to hide behind and connection organically grows. Holding each other accountable and picking each other up as we falter, the bond of running buddies is unique. It’s special.
So, today on this eve of Valentine’s Day, we would like to thank you all for the love and community. PPTC, these past few years have been made easier by knowing each of you.
To express their gratitude, PPTC members have written notes to their PPTC running buddies commemorating the familial, platonic love that composes our club’s fabric.
Lisa Dupas and Desiree Zimmer at Team Champs
Lisa Dupas
Roses are red, violets are blue, I hope to always remain a 9:30 girl with you. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY LISA. You are one of kind and I’m so thankful you are in my life.
Luzette Garces
Luzette! You are literally one of my favorite people ever! I have so much fun whenever I am with you:) I am so grateful for your friendship and am so so happy we became friends. Thank you for being the best friend ever and I cannot wait to spend Galentines with you! You are a star xoxox Rachel
Katie Claiborne
Thank you for your never ending encouragement, your boosts at the end of slow speed sessions and your positivity during bad weather. Thanks for putting up with random chatter and coming out on my road to recovery - the Brooklyn half woudn't have happened without you. Obviously I also have to thank you for all the food throughout the year!
Hilary
Linda Chan and Lisa Zelznick at the Tuesday morning training group
Lisa Zelznick
In the winter cold, she said she’d be there.
In the morning darkness, she said she’d be there.
2 mile tempo run followed by 400m repeats, she said she’d be there.
Trail, track, hills, she said she’d be there. And she was.
Thanks for being my accountability buddy, Lisa! See you Tuesday morning! -Linda
Kristie Blase
Kristie! We should do another baked goods swap! And maybe a little PPTC Fort Greene Park Run Splinter Group? High Fives! ~ Chad D.
Pam Ritchie
Thanks for all the runs, your laid back approach and great conversations enroute. I would never have gotten round the Brooklyn half without you, nor logged the miles have done whilst I am still on the mend. We'll get that dinner yet....
Hilary
Coach John Honerkamp leading the Tuesday morning PPTC training group
Tuesday Morning PPTC Training Group & Coach John Honerkamp
Thanks for showing up! There’s no one else I rather do intervals with in the park!
Mark Guralnick
Thank you for our Sunday outings: new routes complete with history lessons. You've kept my speed up on long runs and it was fab running the Turkey Trot with you. Hope you have a great time North of the Border.
Hilary
Ashley Williams and Betsy Dale with their Brooklyn Half Marathon medals after completing the race
Ashley Williams
Ashley!! Happy Valentine's Day!! I'm so thankful that you're my running buddy!! I can't wait to continue on our running adventures, and especially to conquer the NYC Marathon this year--just like ChatGPT predicted! - Betsy
Shanyn Rubinstein
Shanyn! I am so glad I met you standing in the bakery line at Trader Joes! You have been such a blast to hang out with these past months! I am so grateful I met you and love hanging out doing sober runs and going to Jewish Events! I hope you have the best Galentines Day:) xoxxo Rachel
A sad cheer squad sans Leo Gil
Leo Gil
Running with Leo Gil is better than running without Leo Gil. Let's run sometime soon! ~Chad
Kirsty CarrolL
A fellow Scot and afternoon runner; what more is there to say?!? Thanks for the runs, chat, and encouraging words after gaining bumps and bruises along the way.
Good luck in Boston!
Hilary
Jimmy Leung, Danielle Fagenblat, Blair Smith, Lisa Barzotto, Emily Funk, and Anja Kremzow
Jimmy Leung, Anja Kremzow, Danielle Fagenblat, Lisa Barzotto, Emily Funk
Happy Valentines Day hugs to the bubble!! Thankful to have such wonderful friends like you and excited for all of our upcoming adventures (and hopefully a game night too!) xoxo, Blairsie :)
Taylor Spurlock
I am so grateful we became friends over shared baklava at the food court next to Trader Joes <3. It has been so fun getting to know you! I love running with you, you are certainly keeping me in shape:) I cannot wait to go on many more runs in (hopefully) warm weather! Happy Galentines day and Happy Early Birthday!!!!
Melissa, Rachael, Jordan, Susan, and Julie on a run
The Incredibles!
Dear Jordan, Julie, Melissa and Rachael: Our August 6th Summer Streets Long Run magically tethered us! Since that run, we have each enjoyed our best running months ever! My relationship with you all has inspired me tremendously, in running and LIFE! You have been there when I needed perspective or was grappling with a challenging situation. Thank you for listening and “getting me” in a way that I’ve only experienced with my closest friends. I feel so lucky to have your friendship and good energy in my life! Soul+Solemates for sure! Let’s keep going!!! To many more PRs in running and life, Susan
Evy Barnett
Thanks for being so welcoming and kind to all. Your joy brightens up space and makes people feel at ease.
LindA CHan
Thank you for looking out for your teammates, it is so appreciated.
Mayna Legoute and Susan Jarrell
Mayna Legoute
Dear Mayna, We met in line after the 2021 Bronx 10. Waiting and talking for a few minutes, you then very kindly took a picture of me and Josh in front of the poster and texted it to me, since neither of us had our phones. I took your picture with your phone. At that moment, I wasn’t aware of where you lived. A few days later, I ran by you on the Prospect Park loop and yelled at you. You stopped and we chatted and there began a great friendship. Meeting you when I did was so key to becoming the runner I am now. Our S&M Tuesdays (and then Wednesdays), in any kind of weather, taught me the tenacity and discipline required to being a runner. They also taught me the benefit of running with someone. I would get so lost in conversation with you, I’d forget where we were on the loop. You are such a wise and true friend, Mayna. I feel I could—and I have done!—tell you anything. Thank you for your sense of humor, appreciation for good food, willingness to talk by phone or in person when texting isn’t cutting it, and always going the extra mile for the people you love. You’re my Soul/Sole Sister! Love, Susan
Audrey Rosenblith
You have been an incredible friend to me and I'm so lucky to have you in my life!
Luzette Garces and Clark McCaskill
Clark McCaskill
Can’t wait to fill our adventure book with all our infinite eats, hikes, shows, and everything in between!
The WalkERs
To anyone who ever walked with me while I could not run, thank you. Being able to walk with you all helped me to stay afloat and continue to feel like a part of the running community.
Jana Veliskova and Jen Piazza hugging after a race
Jennifer Piazza
"I want to qualify for Boston - you want to come?" you said to me as we shared a glass of wine in your living room last year. "Yea, I do. And same" but I wasn't sure it was going to happen. I've only run one marathon at that point and on a broken leg. My confidence was shot. Yet, you twisted my arm (it didn't take much...) and in early April we were off to Salisbury, MD, for their famous marathon. You taught me about confidence, perseverance, gratitude, and determination. I was able to run that thing because you made me believe that I could. So when the race came along, we wrote sharpie instructions on our arms, wore matching outfits, and ate pizza to prep. That was a year ago. And on April 16th, we'll be stuffing our faces with pizza again - only this time - to run the race you convinced me wasn't just a dream. Thanks Jen <3 Love, Jana
Ally Miller
THANK YOU FOR GETTING ME ON THAT BUS -EVY
Anh-Tuan Tran, Jennie Matz, Karl Steele, and Camilla Gale relaxing on a Brooklyn stoop after a run
Camilla Gale, AnH-Tuan Tran, and Karl Steele
Thanks, PPTC for connecting me to some of by best friends and running partners. Pod4lyfe! <3 <3 <3
Rachel Harris
RACHEL ! So happy I met you! I appreciate you, our runs, and our laughs. Happy Valentine's Day! xx Taylor
Koushik Dasika
You are so sweet and I appreciate all the kindness you've shown me this year!
Kevin McGing and Jacqueline Simmons
Jacqueline Simmons
Roses are red, violets are blue, you're really fast, and i am your boo (thang)
Erica Harper
You help keep me accountable and I'm so glad we've been running buddies this year! Looking towards many more smiles & miles with you!!
Lisa Maya Knauer and Jen Keiser Gordon
Jen Keiser Gordon
Who ever thought that a casual introduction from Jimmy would have led to a multi-year running friendship? Our weekly runs through the first year and a half of the pandemic provided an anchor during very unsettling times. Here's to many more miles (and maybe an occasional Messiah for good measure)
Susan Jarrell and Lorena Marin Ortiz
Lorena Marin Ortiz
Dear Lorena, We haven’t been in each other’s company as of late and I miss you! Thank goodness for IG and Strava, that I can look in on your sparkly joie de vivre. Though we established this summer that I am not only old enough to be your mother, I am in fact the same age as your mother; you are an ageless shapeshifter like me and so I feel we can dispense with hang-ups on age gaps and such. We are friends. I am writing you today to say I see your many pursuits—at least those you share on IG and Strava—and I want to tell you how much I admire your “going all in” attitude and how you put yourself out there, as a runner and performer and woman. Love, Susan
The NeighborHood Crew
Thank you for trekking back to the east side of the park with me after pub runs and for hanging out with me whether it be Friday morning coffee or Saturday night dancing. So lucky to have you all as part of my community. <3
Melissa and Adam Devine at the start of the Chicago Marathon
Melissa Devine
I am so glad to get to share the miles and my life with you. Love you, honey bee
Ulices García
Quien hubiera pensado que un encuentro casual en diciembre de 2015 hubiera resultado en una amistad que ha perdurado para más de 7 años? Gracias por alentar mis esfuerzos y espero que pronto podamos disfrutar de más pizza, jijiji. Abrazos, Lisa (LMK)
Adam Devine, Brian Schwartz, Carmen Cramer, Katie Claiborne, and Johann Jaeckel
Carmen Cramer, Brian Schwartz, Katie Claiborne, and Johann Jaeckel
To my current trail training leaders, thank you for all that you do, and for sharing the trails and the road with me. I'd follow you into the wilderness on any adventure you'd like. - Adam
Andy Wong
Hi Andy! Where to begin? After only a few months with the club, it's evident to me that your warmth and generosity of spirit have touched so many members of PPTC - myself included. Thank you for helping me feel such a sense of belonging here. I'm so grateful for the gift of your friendship, and can't wait for lots of miles and memories to come. :) -Kathryn
Kara Asunción and LMK
Kara Asunción
So glad that we got to know each other during marathon training, and had the chance to spend many pleasant (if running long distances can ever be pleasant) hours together (we'll put the stress and anxiety of trying to get on a bus in Staten Island to one side) -- both running and replenishing ourselves afterwards with yummy food. Here's to many more miles and meals. Love, Lisa (LMK)
Niki Zingman and Luzette Garces finishing the NYC Marathon together
Niki Zingman
Can’t imagine a more perfect solemate to cross all the bridges with 💪
Marjorie Kazin
You are such a good long run running buddy! I've definitely become a better runner since getting to run with you during our NYCM training cycle!
Sarah Quinlan
Getting to know you through Race Com and DTBK has been amazing!
Eric Goldwein
You are so friendly, fun, and kind! Literally couldn't have made Philly (and my PR) happen if it wasn't for you! Appreciate the heck outta you -evy b
Graphic by: Evy Barnett (she/her)
Intro text by: Rachael DePalma (she/her)
Notes written by: As signed or anonymously
Photos provided by: “Sole Mates” contributors
Produced by: Rachael DePalma
PPTC is a diverse and supportive team. We want to celebrate the diversity of our club and membership. We welcome and encourage everyone to share their stories with us.